Isn'T Halloween For Kids Anymore… Poem by Theresa Ann Moore

Plump pumpkins have brightly glowing smiles
Bright orange mini-lights are hung atop the curtains
It is getting dark…the front porch light is on
Watching a scary movie…with screaming persons

Halloween night has arrived with great anticipation
I've bought a variety of individually wrapped sweets
Anxiously waiting to see youngsters approaching...
dressed in unique costumes shouting 'trick or treat! '

I finally hear voices and see a group of beggars next door
As they approach I comprehend that they are fully grown
they are teens carrying containers and sacks for candy
The young adults thank politely and respect is shown

Hours pass and there is not an indication of more
candy seekers… resigned to the fact that that is that
Then there is a thumping at the door… seeing who is
there… it is an old beggar in black with a wrinkled face

'Sorry, didn't mean to wake you… ' she said extending
her boney hand with a near empty grocery bag
My grandson grudgingly, yet graciously complied
giving goodies… gone in a flash…she did not lag

Grandma… that was the strangest experience…
that woman was very old and her eye twitched
Her face looked like a prune… it was for real...
not a mask… perhaps she was an authentic witch

Closing and locking the door… Halloween just ended
Wondering what happened to the laughter and fun
when kids were filled with merriment on this spooky day
The ghost filled night for children to seek treats is done

11/1/2010